Complex oxygen-containing organic compound, a mixture of polymer s of poorly known structure.
After cellulose , it is the most abundant organic material on Earth, making up one-fourth to one-third of the dry weight of wood , where it is concentrated in the cell walls. Removed from wood pulp in the manufacture of paper , it is used as a binder in particleboard and similar products and as a soil conditioner, filler in certain plastics, adhesive ingredient, and raw material for chemicals including vanilla flavouring).